Coming off a record breaking 2017 which saw a new program record for wins, a 2nd place finish in the division and the District, and a #7 finish in the Shore, Colts Neck took a decent to hit to graduation. Five starters with at least 20 wins, including two State-qualifiers and four District medal winners, must be replaced, and the Cougars will attempt to do so with their depth returning from last season as well as some promising freshmen.

The big gun returning down low for Colts Neck is senior Joey King. King, a 2-time State-qualifier, and 3-time District medalist, who enters the season with 104 career wins, which puts him 17 away from breaking the school record. King, along with Dyon Womack, a returning Region and District placer, and Justin Pierre-Louis, give the Cougars a strong senior presence in the lower weight classes as they break in some new faces.

The big hit to graduation occurred in the stretch from 138-160, as the starting foursome there combined for 109 wins in 2017. Senior Anthony Lombardo enters this stretch coming off a solid 18-win campaign at 132 a year ago. Junior Liam Hughes and sophomores Justin LaPorta and Michael Mionetti got some valuable varsity experience last season, and some talented frosh are in the picture as well, including Joseph Barsky, and junior State Champ in 2016.

There's some strong talent returning in the upperweights, with returning District champion Michael Jannucci, District runner-ups AJ Royle and Ken Koenig, and 4-year regular TJ DiMario all back. Junior Sean Kim has plenty of varsity experience to his credit, and gives the lineup some nice depth and maneuverability.

Even with the hit to graduation, there's still a strong nucleus returning that includes five Region-qualifiers. That group may need to carry the load early, while pushing the younger guys in the practice room. The Cougars will have a couple weeks of action to get ready for the first big test in the division, as they face Manalapan as part of a Saturday quad on January 6th. If the newcomers hit the ground running, there's no reason why Colts Neck can't keep pace with their success from a season ago.